Detected

Glad you could join us for the next reconsidered episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning tothe beginning, and reading really fast…

Photo credit: Igor Siwanowicz

Picking out a path past rocky outcrops and over mossy stones, Elliot worked his way around the base of the tower until he found a passage that disappeared into darkness beneath an overhang that almost hid its opening.

This can’t possibly be the main entrance, he assured himself. It must be a vent or a back way nobody uses. But because it was the only way in that he’d found, he approached with caution.

“Hello?” His timid call couldn’t have carried beyond the bend in the tunnel.

“Hello?” he called again, his voice bolder than he felt. “Is anybody here? May I come in?”

Still no answer.

Just before the bend, he saw light coming from somewhere further back, maybe around another corner. A wispy, scratching sound echoed off the walls. An angled shadow jolted and spread toward him.

Maybe I should try to find my way back to the Hive, he suggested to himself, backing up a little.

As the shadow grew and the noise came closer, Elliot stumbled on something behind him, and turned his head for just a second to avoid falling over whatever it was. The scratching stopped right in front of him.

I don’t want to die running, he thought. Better to face the danger. Straightening, he turned toward the shadow that was no longer faceless.

“Stop where you are!” its hollow voice commanded. “Who are you and what’s your business here?”